Pinus sylvestris is the scientific name of pine. It belongs to a family of evergreen conifers that includes about 90 species that grow in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. Pine essential oil is steam distilled from the fresh twigs and needles, not directly from the crude resin as turpentine. Pine oil has a fresh forest smell, it is pale yellow in color and watery in viscosity.

This evergreen tree can grow up to 40 meters (130 feet) and has a flat crown and has a reddish-brown, deeply fissured bark, needle-like gray-green leaves that grow in pairs, orange-yellow flowers and pointed brown cones.

Pine essential oil was used by the Native Americans to prevent scurvy.

Although pine essential oil and pine needle oil is considered non-toxic and non-irritant in low dosage, still it should be used with care on the skin, since it can cause irritation in high dosage and may sensitize the skin as well. The oil from the dwarf pine is a dermal irritant and a sensitizing agent. It should not be used on allergic skin.

Although pine oil can cause allergic reactions, it is very useful to relieve mental, physical and sexual fatigue, while having a cleansing and clearing effect on a room. Even though it can be used in cystitis, hepatitis and prostate problems, as well as to improve circulation and to relieve rheumatism, gout, sciatica and arthritis, it should be done with care due to the sensitizing nature of this oil.

Pine oil can be useful in the treatment of the respiratory tract, for muscular aches and pains, and as a urinary cleanser. In vapor therapy it can be used for asthma, colds, coughs, smokers cough, drowsiness, hangover and sinusitis. It has also been applied to eczema, those with laryngitis, lice, muscular aches, neuralgia, psoriasis, rheumatism, ringworm, scrapes, and sinusitis. Its versatility is well documented.

It blends particularly well with cedar wood, eucalyptus, lavender, niaouli, rosemary and sage.